I am just to say coming down from the Download Festival high. I have updated my Download photo album - click the pictures and get captions too! Also a couple of extra photos added (some of me so sorry to any small children frightened by that!)
If you would like to read my 'proper' review of the weekend you can do so at BBCi Derby here, love your comments on that - either here or you can submit them there.
I'm afraid my blog won't be as structured as that article - it is time for ramblings!
All in all I had a wonderful Download. Friday I spent shopping, trying to meet up with friends but failing miserably. The place was packed and no-one could hear their phones! We did go front of stage for Wicked Wisdom which is fronted by Jada Pinkett Smith.
Their music isn't my favourite genre of rock but I did think they put on a good show. Jada is incredibly beautiful. I was wondering if she would be one of those lollipop Hollywood actresses but she isn't. She is petite but fantastically sinewy. She was very energetic and charismatic. And without sounding ridiculously politically correct it was great to see a female and predominantly black band playing metal - quit with the stereotyping folks and go with the music that gets your heart beating!
In the wings, as you can see on my photo, Jada was watched by her husband Will Smith. He looked very proud and rightly so. The crowd spied him and chanted his name until he came on stage and waved. As my gran would say, what a fine figure of a man he was!
The heat was stifling and with the forecast for the weekend being more of the same we soon realised we would be sacrificing a lot of bands if we were to pace ourselves. It was all we could muster to amble a few metres at time let alone rush from stage to stage.
We started to stumble on my fellow Download forum members and put faces to names. What a great bunch of people, especially the OOFAs - the Official Old Farts Alliance. We are old but bold and in some cases bald too!
One of the best discoveries on Friday - the pasta food van from Barilla. Gorgeous pasta with a choice of four toppings (I went for 4 cheeses). This set Mum off on her reminiscence of festival food past which was the choice of burger or burger and onion. And in teams of price the Barilla pasta wasn't too extortionate by festival standards - guys on that van, I really do think I love you!
Saturday was the day I was itching for. I was straight across to the Snickers Stage ready for Henry Rollins. The great news was as I had been given media accreditation I was allowed to go front of stage for photos. It was a fantastic set - I think I may have to do a separate post on Mr Rollins as it could get lengthy! What a great message he got across and in fantastic style.
I hung around to see Wicked Wisdom again - somehow they had bagged a second slot over the weekend. Once again a very energetic performance from the band and in particular Jada.
Much of my time was spent accosting random people to ask if I could take photos of them for my BBCi Derby photo essay. Not one person said no and they all seemed really pleased and excited to be asked. Through that I got to meet some great people and hear some interesting stories. I also found it is a marvellous ice breaker to approach people who look interesting, and being a naturally nosey person that covers just about everyone.
Saturday evening I went shopping buying a Christmas present to put away for my friend Jo, before treating myself to some new rags. I got a great bargain. I spied a beautiful full length gothic dress and matching cape set. It was reduced to £55 from £99.99. We got talking to the chappie who ran the stall as I debated whether the dress would fit, but the cape was what I really wanted. He suggested I tried the outfit on but I was too damn hot. So bless him, he said it was hot and he didn't want to pack lots of stuff up so I could have the cape AND dress for £20 which is what he would have offered the cape alone at! Can't resist a bargain! (Tried it on at home in the cool and the dress isn't too far off, a few less pies and it will be perfect!)
The guy gave me his card, his shop is in Durham but they have a website and online shop -www.docblack.co.uk I definitely recommend them!
Into the evening we saw Metallica who were, as expected, superb though they did take to the stage 45minutes late. Oh don't you hate that! But they were soon forgiven as they did a full 2hour set and Master of Puppets in full!
Sunday and it was back to join the OOFAs on OOFA Hill. There was plenty of merriment, hugs and general good humour. Lacuna Coil were good in the background even if they did cover one of my all time favourite songs - Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy the Silence' - it was a bit painful. If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it folks.
Lacuna Coil led to a conversation about contraception and how if it wasn't for a rubbish 70's coil I wouldn't be here!
Next up Cradle of Filth - one of the bands I was really looking forward to and they didn't disappoint. The set was as theatrical as a festival set would allow. The goblin came on, a girl hung from the stage rafters to do a corde lisse display.
Lead singer Dani Filth put on a great show with his arid wit in between songs including such great lines as 'If you are going to throw things at us aim at the guitarists'. Something was aimed at him and he picked it up in disbelief 'An apple?' he croaked, 'who the fuck brings an apple to Download, its meant to be bottles of piss'
But my favourite 'I've spoken to Axl Rose,"'he said in his gravel tone, 'And he says if you don't make enough noise he is going home. And he'll plait his hair on the way.' I know Axl with braids just doesn't feel right to me either.
Guns n Roses or 'Axl and some other blokes but not Slash' as they now are did show up - again I think I'll do another post later on the whole GnR moment. Quick summary - ropey but I loved it. I had a huge nostalgia moment and had great company for the set as I was sat with Katie.
I had a headache each night as no matter how much shade I seeked or water I drank, the weather got to me but it was worth it! Great music, great people. How happy am I?
Fantastic! SO not my thing, but you make it sound so much fun that I am almost tempted ... :). And I agree about Will Smith!
Posted by: Ally | 14 June 2006 at 01:33 PM
Loved the pics and your description of the weekend. Your friends look like too much fun.
Posted by: Rhonda | 14 June 2006 at 06:52 PM
Looks like you had a great time.
Jealousy and envy are both unattractive traits and I try to shy away from both of them. However...
Posted by: Stegbeetle | 15 June 2006 at 09:38 AM
great pictures
Posted by: jr | 16 June 2006 at 11:10 AM
You seem to have had a good time. I am happy for you. My last attempt to attend a festival ended in three cracked ribs and an identity crisis. That's right. After my wallet was stolen and I slipped on someone's discarded banana skin whilst chasing the thief I had a real problem convincing the policeman of my identity. This was not because of my lack of ID but because I had concussed myself at the same time as breaking my ribs. Bizarrely, I had managed to hit the only piece of stony ground in the field of liquified mud that had been my home for the last two days. I vowed never to attend a festival ever again, and so far have found it surprisingly easy not to break this particular promise.
Posted by: Joseph McCrumble | 16 June 2006 at 09:57 PM
Glad you had a great time. Loved the photos--especially Rollins. Yum!
Posted by: Attila the Mom | 17 June 2006 at 04:29 PM